alt key doesn't seem to register in key listener

Solar2D Win32 Desktop
#1

Tried both build 3224 and 3326, both builds don’t seem to register either keyboard ‘alt’ key with a key listener.

Every other key on the keyboard registers fine with the key listener.

I have also checked using windows pop up keyboard that my alt keys work fine. 

Tested using ctrl+enter (instead of trying alt) and can switch between fullscreen / windowed mode, so no issues with the code.

Using the new build 3226 event.isAltDown also does not register either alt keys.

This is a bit of an issue of you want a game to switch between fullscreen and windowed mode as almost all windows games use alt+enter to switch between modes.

Anyone having similar issues?

#2

I just checked on my Mac and it’s showing the alt key working.

Are you using a US101 keyboard, or do you have some other keyboard setting?
Are you on a mac or windows?

Rob

#3

This is a Windows problem.  

The Windows OS does not throw a key event for Alt.  While it does register the press and track it, you won’t get a standalone key event for this key.

Hmmm some additional checking shows in all Windows builds/runs Alt is basically useless.  You can get the ‘up’ phase, but only if you press another key at the same time.

unning:

  • Simulator - Pressing ALT + SOME_KEY only returns up phase of ALT and other keys press is entirely lost.
  • Windows App Build - Same

Corona 2018.3226

#4

I would think .isAltDown should toggle between true and false though.

#5

Yes, but it simply doesn’t in Windows systems.  Alt is a weird key for Windows which I generally avoid using in Corona Apps.

To be clear, this is what you see for events related to Alt:

  • Alt Pressed and Released alone - Nothing.
  • Alt Pressed and Held, then letter key pressed and released - Only the ‘up’ phase and it reports itself as ALT.  The letter press is not communicated as an event.
  • Others… I’d have to test, but this has been enough in the past for me to take Alt out of my list of ‘used keys’
#6

Corona docs indicate event.isAltDown, should they read event.isAltPressed? Have yet to try that although doubt that will register either. 

#7

Yes agree, did the same checking previously. However was wondering how other games developed for windows have no problem using alt+enter then unless it has something to do with corona?

#8

If you are blocked by this you can make a small sample and file a bug:  https://portal.coronalabs.com/bug-submission

I am not saying there is no way to make this work, just that for Corona apps on Windows it doesn’t and I don’t remember it ever working, so I’ve avoided it. 

Still I see why you would want it since Alt-Enter is pretty standard for switching to and from full-screen mode.

#9

Sorry, I had a brain lapse.  It’s .isAltDown

event.isAltDown

Rob

#10

I’m on both mac and windows, but I only came across this on the windows 10 OS since there is no need for alt+enter on a mac. I will check if alt registers on mac os.

#11

I just checked on my Mac and it’s showing the alt key working.

Are you using a US101 keyboard, or do you have some other keyboard setting?
Are you on a mac or windows?

Rob

#12

This is a Windows problem.  

The Windows OS does not throw a key event for Alt.  While it does register the press and track it, you won’t get a standalone key event for this key.

Hmmm some additional checking shows in all Windows builds/runs Alt is basically useless.  You can get the ‘up’ phase, but only if you press another key at the same time.

unning:

  • Simulator - Pressing ALT + SOME_KEY only returns up phase of ALT and other keys press is entirely lost.
  • Windows App Build - Same

Corona 2018.3226

#13

I would think .isAltDown should toggle between true and false though.

#14

Yes, but it simply doesn’t in Windows systems.  Alt is a weird key for Windows which I generally avoid using in Corona Apps.

To be clear, this is what you see for events related to Alt:

  • Alt Pressed and Released alone - Nothing.
  • Alt Pressed and Held, then letter key pressed and released - Only the ‘up’ phase and it reports itself as ALT.  The letter press is not communicated as an event.
  • Others… I’d have to test, but this has been enough in the past for me to take Alt out of my list of ‘used keys’
#15

Corona docs indicate event.isAltDown, should they read event.isAltPressed? Have yet to try that although doubt that will register either. 

#16

Yes agree, did the same checking previously. However was wondering how other games developed for windows have no problem using alt+enter then unless it has something to do with corona?

#17

If you are blocked by this you can make a small sample and file a bug:  https://portal.coronalabs.com/bug-submission

I am not saying there is no way to make this work, just that for Corona apps on Windows it doesn’t and I don’t remember it ever working, so I’ve avoided it. 

Still I see why you would want it since Alt-Enter is pretty standard for switching to and from full-screen mode.

#18

Sorry, I had a brain lapse.  It’s .isAltDown

event.isAltDown

Rob

#19

I’m on both mac and windows, but I only came across this on the windows 10 OS since there is no need for alt+enter on a mac. I will check if alt registers on mac os.